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Shootout: Pro with amateur gear vs amateur with pro gear

Shootout: Pro with amateur gear vs amateur with pro gear

VIDEO

Mango Street lab put together a fun video where two individuals, one a pro and one an amateur, shoot the same model and compare results. The catch? The pro is shooting with a kit costing around $500 used: a Canon T3i and 18-55mm kit lens, plus a 40mm F2.8 pancake. The amateur on the other hand is using a kit costing nearly 10x as much: a Canon 5D Mark IV and 35mm F1.4L II.

In the end, both photographers get great shots – it turns out the amateur had more skill than he let on. Despite this, the point is clear: gear alone can’t make up for actual photographic skill – something that comes largely from time spent behind the lens. And a good photographer can usually make strong images, regardless of the camera used.

Now stop reading about gear and go shoot! It’s the best way to improve.